{"title":"Poor Man's Friend Records","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"only-jah-know-born-to-be-free","title":"Only Jah Know \/ Born To Be Free","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe latest offering from Poor Man’s Friend Records, a freshly constructed 45 featuring Jamaican reggae and dancehall icon Mikey General on the A side. The instrumental is a heavy relick of the classic ‘Baldhead riddim”,smoked out guitar stabs collide with big spring reverbs and vintage organ tones to create a distinctly mid seventies roots sound. Mikey's powerful voice effortlessly fills out the space left for it in the sparse arrangement, delivering deep conscious lyrics that send shivers down the spine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMikey General is a staple artist in reggae and dancehall having voiced prolifically since the age of sixteen, his first break being given to him by Ruddy Silence in Jamaica, he is however perhaps best known for his great works alongside veteran artist Luciano. Mikey has voiced many iconic records during his long career. This includes tunes for Saxon sound, Coxsone International and for Phillip Burrell as part of the great ”Xterminator Crew”. He is well known for his signature vocal styles and long standing dedication to the promotion of positive lyrics and the Rastafari faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the flip is the legendary Prince Alla singing over an original riddim track, in signature Prince Alla fashion he has written an inspired track with a great conscious message. Anytime this veteran artist records we are reminded of his amazing legacy in this music, having been actively recording since the late 1960’s. So sit back and enjoy the works of these two legends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs always there will be only 300 copies available, each one housed in our signature brown cardsleeves. All instruments were recorded in the Poor Man’s Friend studio using period correctequipment, both vocals were recorded remotely in Jamaica.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poor Man's Friend Records","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50466823143755,"sku":"2001202","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/unnamed-1_cfd76742_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727323509"},{"product_id":"tek-it-easy-do-good-brother","title":"Tek It Easy \/ Do Good Brother","description":"\u003cp\u003eVeteran singer Robert O Dallas (formerly “Yabba Youth”), confidently announces his arrival at the Poor Man’s Friend studio with this important and thought evoking message to the youth. His instantly recognisable voice combines with the deep, eary production to create a heavy, meditative record with a much needed commentary on current social issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe B side, “Do Good Brother”, is a stern reminder to follow your heart and “Do all the good that you can.” A heavy horns section leads this late 70’s inspired roots cut, whilst Mr Dallas gives an incredible vocal performance alongside that harmonizes effortlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poor Man's Friend Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50931836125515,"sku":"1165598","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/PMF001sleeve_webB_121751b2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733335022"},{"product_id":"pressure-them","title":"Pressure Them","description":"\u003cp\u003eIcho first emerged under the guidance of legendary producer and soundman Jack Ruby, but it was his haunting rendition of Cat Stevens' \"Where Do the Children Play?\"—featured in a BBC documentary—that introduced his voice to the world beyond Jamaica. Equal parts soulful and haunting, Icho's voice echoes the spirit of a bygone era, reminding us of the roots and depth of classic Jamaican music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mysterious figure from reggae's golden era, Icho Candy has always stood apart. A devout Rastafarian with a gift for prophetic songwriting, he joins forces here with some of his closest musical allies. Prince Alla appears on the title track \"Pressure Them\" and contributes two solo performances, while the legendary Viceroys collaborate on \"Pave the Way\" and \"King of Kings.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis album is a tribute to Icho Candy's, Prince Alla's and The Viceroys legacies. Icho and Prince Alla first recorded together in 1976, and \u003cem\u003ePressure Them\u003c\/em\u003e seeks to fill a long-standing gap in Icho's discography. The Viceroys are also longtime friends and as expert harmony singers they are the ideal collaborators for those big roots records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePressure Them \u003c\/em\u003eis more than just an album—it's a restoration and a celebration of one of reggae's most powerful yet under-recognized voices.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poor Man's Friend Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":52609212383563,"sku":"R4436-4528","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_cdfea65b-743c-4b50-86a3-dfedf911416e.jpg?v=1751379612"},{"product_id":"what-a-pressure","title":"What A Pressure","description":"\u003cp\u003eHaving cut his teeth with Duke Reid in the mid to late 1960s, Dennis Walks has been recording consistently for over 60 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest known for his massive hits “Drifter,” “Heart Don’t Leap,” and “Margaret,” alongside the great The Mudies, Dennis brings a smooth yet powerful voice rooted in R\u0026amp;B and doo-wop influences. Combined with his intricate and thoughtful songwriting, he remains one of our favourite artists from the rocksteady and early reggae era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What A Pressure” is a vibrant, horn-led early roots reggae cut that captures the raw spirit and sonic identity of Jamaica’s foundational studio era. Driven by an upbeat tempo and undeniable energy, the track is elevated by rich, full-bodied backing vocals that perfectly frame Dennis Walks’s unmistakable voice. His delivery carries a weight of experience, bringing to life a set of beautifully constructed conscious lyrics that speak with both urgency and soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt its core, the production is propelled by a deep, rolling bassline that locks tightly with a heavily saturated rhythm section, creating a warm, analog feel reminiscent of classic recordings from Kingston’s golden age. The horns cut through with authority, adding brightness and drive, while the overall arrangement maintains a tight, authentic groove.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poor Man's Friend Records","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":57160962244939,"sku":"R5448-5390","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_c107ee49-db72-46ce-b528-2c9a6a4f7783.jpg?v=1777530284"},{"product_id":"down-here-2","title":"Down Here","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen discussing Jamaican music there aren’t many artists that are as influential—or as instantly recognisable—as Horace Andy. Emerging in the late 1960s and rising to prominence through a string of classic recordings, Andy became one of reggae's defining vocalists, celebrated for his haunting falsetto, deeply conscious lyrics, and extraordinary longevity. From roots reggae anthems to modern reinterpretations, his voice has remained a constant presence across generations of Jamaican music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Down Here\" transports the listener back to the golden era of reggae, channeling the timeless spirit of 1970. Inspired by Horace Andy's early recordings and the unmistakable sound of Studio 1, The Poor Man's Friend Crew have crafted a warm, mid-tempo groove steeped in vintage authenticity. Rich horn arrangements, deep roots rhythms and understated production provide the perfect backdrop for Horace andy's unmistakable voice, whose haunting melody drifts effortlessly across the track. Classic in feel yet fresh in execution, \"Down Here\" is a faithful tribute to reggae's foundation while remaining unmistakably contemporary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poor Man's Friend Records","offers":[{"title":"7\" - Black","offer_id":57792587923787,"sku":"R2103-3123","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover-1.ki_429b4343-24ec-46e7-a9b7-1653d8090c46.jpg?v=1783512004"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/poor-man-s-friend-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}